Our Impact

​The first essay assigned in my English course was over a significant thing that had a great impact on my life. The first thing that came to mind was Sisterhood. At first I was having writer’s block. Then I thought back to the first day I went to group my freshman year. Everyone was talking about college. I didn’t think college was in my future. But Sisterhood changed that and it changed how I viewed myself. Then I just started typing and typing and got my essay finished in an hour and a week early!

I know we don’t say this enough. Thank you for all you do! Without you and God, I wouldn’t be telling you this now. I love Ms. Lynn and everything she has done for us. Never give up on this program because it is touching lives and changing hearts. Thank you to all the mentors and volunteers. Sometimes you don’t even know it, and sometimes we don’t tell you: You all make differences in our lives.

When Jamaal started high school, he had already been involved with gangs for over a year. Like so many young men around him, being part of or associated with a gang was a rite of passage. Jamaal’s affiliations began to cause him trouble at school, having to fight to fend off others.

A friend of his suggested he attend a group at school. Jamaal accepted, wanting to get out of class. This group was the Brotherhood program. Here Jamaal met adult men and other boys who shared their experiences. He also learned practical skills.

“Mr. Gilkey was a great support. When I first started going to the group, I was still getting into trouble. He would come to the school and the problem would get solved. He talked to me and taught me other ways to handle situations and be more respectful,” Jamal said.

Participating in Brotherhood gave him the confidence to speak to people, taught him how to respect women, and gave him the skills to respect himself and plan for his future. Most of all, it gave him a proper support network.